ID 167 - Witamina E

PL: Witamina E
EN: Vitamin E
Pdf:

Oświadczenie (2)

1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika

The food constituent that is the subject of the health claims is vitamin E, which is a well recognised nutrient and is measurable in foods by established methods.
Vitamin E is authorised for addition to foods (Annex I of the Regulation (EC) No 1925/20066 and Annex I of Directive 2002/46/EC7). This evaluation applies to vitamin E naturally present in foods and those forms authorised for addition to foods (Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 and Annex II of Directive 2002/46/EC).
The Panel considers that the food constituent, vitamin E, which is the subject of the health claims, is sufficiently characterised.

2.9. Utrzymanie prawidłowego wzroku poprzez ochronę soczewki oka (ID 167)

The claimed effect is “eye health; vitamin E, C are found in the lens of the eye; acts jointly with vitamin C”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
In the context of the proposed wording, the Panel assumes that the claimed effect refers to the protection of the lens of the eye.
The Panel considers that maintenance of normal vision by protection of the lens of the eye is a beneficial physiological effect.

3. Naukowe uzasadnienia wpływu na zdrowie człowieka

The evidence provided by opinions/reports from authoritative bodies and reviews shows that there is good consensus on the role of vitamin E in the body (Berdanier et al., 2002; EVM, 2002; Gibney et al., 2002; IoM, 2000; NNR, 2004; Sadler et al., 1999; SCF, 2003; Shils et al., 2006). Vitamin E is fat-soluble and is transported in plasma lipoproteins and partitions into membranes and fat-storage sites where it has the unique role of protecting polyunsaturated fatty acids from peroxidation. Plasma
-tocopherol is regulated by the liver -tocopherol transfer protein ( -TTP). In humans, a genetic
defect in -TTP results in severe vitamin E deficiency (Shils et al., 2006).
A major vitamin E deficiency symptom in humans is peripheral neuropathy characterised by the degeneration of the large calibre axons in the sensory neurons (IoM, 2000). Vitamin E deficiency as a result of inadequate intake of vitamin E is uncommon. Vitamin E deficiency can occur as a result of
genetic abnormalities in -TTP and as a result of various fat malabsorption syndromes. Vitamin E supplementation halts the progression of the neurological abnormalities caused by inadequate nerve
tissue -tocopherol and, in some cases, has reversed these abnormalities. Other vitamin E deficiency symptoms observed in humans include spinocerebellar ataxia, skeleton myopathy, pigmented retinopathy (IoM, 2000), loss of deep tendon reflexes, unsteady gait, restriction of upward gaze and visual field loss (Sadler et al., 1999).

3.9. Utrzymanie prawidłowego wzroku poprzez ochronę soczewki oka (ID 167)

The references provided included one textbook and four articles which reported on human epidemiological studies.
Two studies, Jacques et al. (2001) and Taylor et al. (2002), found no significant correlation between supplement intake of vitamin E and the incidence of lens opacity and reduced prevalence of cataract, respectively. The remaining two studies (Kuzniarz et al., 2001; Mares-Perlman et al., 2000), considered the use of vitamin supplements in general and cannot be used to substantiate a claim on vitamin E alone. The Panel considers that no conclusions can be drawn from these references for the scientific substantiation of the claimed effect.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the dietary intake of vitamin E and maintenance of normal vision by protection of the lens of the eye.

5. Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia

The Panel considers that in order to bear the claim a food should be at least a source of Vitamin E as per Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. Such amounts can be easily consumed as part of a balanced diet. The target population is the general population. Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (UL) have been established for vitamin E in children, adolescents and adults (SCF, 2003).

Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia

Must meet minimum requirements for use of the claim "source of [name of vitamin/s] and/or [name of mineral/s], source of protein etc (delete as appropriate)" as per Annex to Regulation 1924/2006.